MP Luciana Berger has accepted a role as BACP vice-president, it was announced at our AGM.

The Labour MP, who is a member of the Health and Social Care Select Committee, has been a prominent mental health campaigner and spoke about the need for a ‘mental health revolution’ during her keynote speech at this year’s AGM.

She was the first ever Shadow Cabinet Minister for Mental Health and is also a former Shadow Minister for Public Health.

Luciana was elected member of parliament for Liverpool Wavertree in 2010.

She is an advisory board member of the Money and Mental Health Policy Institute, and the Children’s Commissioner’s ‘Growing Up North’ project and also acts as an adviser on mental health to the Metro Mayor of the Liverpool City Region.

She was appointed an honorary fellow of the University of Liverpool’s Heseltine Institute, and she advises the Health Policy Research Unit set up by University College London and King’s College London Consortium.

Luciana is one of three new vice-presidents, who were welcomed to their roles and officially introduced to BACP members at the AGM on Friday, 16 November. 

John Cowley, a BACP fellow and former member of the board of governors, and Nancy Rowland, BACP’s former deputy CEO (external), have also taken up positions as vice-presidents.

Luciana Berger, Member of Parliament for Liverpool Wavertree, said:

"I am delighted to be joining BACP as a vice-president. 

“I believe there is a vitally-important role for representative bodies, and for individual members, in shaping future policies on mental health.

“We need a revolution in mental health, from crisis to prevention and early intervention, from mental illness to mental health. I know BACP will be part of that revolution and I really look forward to working alongside them and their members in the years ahead, to increase their success and impact."

David Weaver, president of BACP, said:

“Luciana is a powerful and passionate voice on mental health issues. We are delighted to welcome her as a vice-president of BACP and look forward to working with her.  It’s an important moment for our organisation as we continue to show that counselling changes lives.”

Andrew Reeves, chair of BACP, added:

“We know that Luciana shares our commitment to mental health and making sure that treatments and services are accessible to the public. We are very pleased to have her join us at BACP.”